At the 15th of March 2016 Eurogroup for Animals hosted, jointly with the cross political EP Intergroup for the Welfare and Conservation of Animals, a seminar at the European Parliament. The aim of the seminar was to discuss the future of animal welfare in the European Union by opening a constructive dialogue on the results to be generated from the Joint Declaration on Animal Welfare initiated by the German, Danish and Dutch Agricultural Ministers in December 2014. When signing the Ministerial Declaration on Pig Welfare, launched in April 2015, the Swedish Agricultural Minister joined this animal welfare coalition as well. The perspectives
for the EU to deliver in these declarations were reviewed.

This document covers the main areas of concern for animal welfare. It aims to provide a better understanding of each topic from different viewpoints: economic; consumer; welfare problems; existing legislation at European and national level and finally what can realistically be done to improve the situation. It is not intended to be exhaustive but used as a practical reference document, providing updates on a wide range of animal welfare issues which can be regulated at EU level.